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“An independence referendum for Iraqi Kurdistan is not news, as a similar referendum was held years ago,” Vahram Petrosyan, the Head of International relations and Diplomacy faculty at Yerevan State University told a press conference on Saturday.

In his words, there is, however, difference between an independence referendum and actual independence. 

“The referendum is linked to number of internal and external factors and even a successful referendum does not guarantee declaration of independence for Kurdistan. Note, that the domestic politics is strained with different Kurdish parties having differing positions over the conduct of the referendum. If Barzani supporters see the time as the most convenient momentum to hold the referendum, other Kurdish parties does not consider the time expedient for it,” Petrosyan said.

In the speaker’s conviction, the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan will prompt serious regional shifts, specifically transforming into an existential threat for Turkey, while the Kurdish population within Turkey itself will somehow get engaged with pre-and post-referendum processes.